NORTHAMPTON — The weather is expected to significantly warm up this week after record-breaking cold. Though the thaw will bring sighs of relief, it’s also expected to cause a bump in fire department calls for burst pipes and flowing water.
Today there will be a “light dusting” of snow, National Weather Service Meteorologist Lenore Correia said, about a half inch, starting around 2 p.m. But high pressure will be coming in Wednesday, causing temperatures to warm up.
“Basically a wind shift,” Correia said. “All the winds will be coming from the south.”
Thursday is predicted to have a high of 49 degrees and a low of 42 degrees at night, and Friday is predicted to reach 53 degrees and drop down to 37 degrees at night, according to the weather service. Rain is expected on Thursday night and Friday.
On Sunday, arctic air broke records in many areas in New England. Amherst hit minus 18, breaking the Jan. 7, 1996, record of 16 below zero, Correia said. Worcester was minus 9 on Sunday, breaking the day’s record of 5 degrees below zero set in 1942, and Hartford dropped down to minus 9, breaking the day’s record 1 degree below zero in 1912, Correia said.
Northampton Deputy Fire Chief Timothy McQueston said the department tends to get numerous calls for frozen pipes when temperatures drop below zero, and another increase in calls for bursting pipes when the air warms up.
“We’re anticipating a rush,” McQueston said.
Typically, when pipes freeze, McQueston said, the damage has already been done, splitting the pipe. Once it warms up and the ice thaws, he said, water starts flowing out.
Locating the home’s water supply shut-off valve(s) now is one way to be prepared. In the event of a pipe break, shutting off the water is the first step, McQueston said.
Tuesday is expected to reach a high of 36 degrees and Wednesday is expected to have a high of 33 degrees, according to the weather service.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.